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A review by obrill
Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
Title: Little Bear
Author: Else Holmelund Minarik
Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Genre: Early Reader, Fiction
Theme(s): Bear, Mother & Sons, Grandparents, Snow, Friendships, Humor
Opening line/sentence: It is cold. See the snow. See the snow come down.
Brief Book Summary: This book tells of four adventures that Little Bear goes on. As an ‘I Can Read’ book, it is perfect for the early reader. Everyone will fall in love with Little Bear.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature) There are four stories in this beginning reader, which don't really get tied together until the last one. In the first Little Bear wants to go out and play in the snow, but he is cold so Mother Bear makes him some clothes. After wearing a hat, coat and trousers, Little Bear still isn't warm, so his mother suggests that he just play in his fur coat, which seems to work out just fine. In the next tale, Little Bear is afraid that his mother has forgotten his birthday so he sets about making some birthday soup. As his friends arrive to wish him a happy birthday, he invites them to join him for soup. At just the right moment, Mother Bear arrives with a birthday cake. Little Bear decides that he is going to go to the moon, but since he can't fly he just pretends he is one the moon, which it turns out for him, is very similar to Earth. In the final story, Little Bear can't seem to fall asleep and he starts wishing for a series of outlandish things when his mother asks what he wants. Finally, he asks for a story about himself and she obliges by reprising the adventures in the first three chapters. Typical kid behavior is evident and kids younger than those who can read will probably enjoy the stories the most. The pictures by Sendak are probably the major reason for this reissue. A Beginning Reading, Level 1 in the "I Can Read Book" series. 2003 (orig. 1957), HarperCollins, $3.99. Ages 5 to 7.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins (New York N.Y.:), PUBLISHED: 1992 c1957.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: (Book Bird Reviews)
Meet Little Bear, a friend to millions of children. And meet Mother Bear, who is there whenever Little Bear needs her. When it is cold and snowy outside, she finds just the right outfit for Little Bear to play in. When he goes to the moon, she has a hot lunch waiting for him on his return. And, of course, she never forgets his birthday. This classic from Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak was written in 1957 and remains as beloved today as it was then. An ALA Notable Children's Book, this Level One I Can Read is full of warm and lovingly playful stories that are perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Supports the Common Core State Standards.
(PUBLISHER: Caedmon (New York:), PUBLISHED: [p1992?](Caedmon (New York:), PUBLISHED: [p1992?]))
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I like how the second reviewer said that the book was published in 1957. I remember reading this book when I was younger, and my mom remembers reading it when she was little too. It shows how this book has seemingly become a classic early reader. The first reviewer summarizes the four stories of the book and that makes you see how relatable they are to children—playing in the snow & celebrating birthdays.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: There almost seems to be an illustration on every page –and with Maruice Sendak as the illustrator who is complaining? The illustrations provide visual context to the reader. The size and amount of text seems comparable to other early readers and an optimum font is used for easy reading.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Since there are other Little Bear books, this book could be used as a character study and a series exploration. It could be used as a read aloud for younger (PK) students and for small group instruction in the K-2 setting. This book was also a bedtime read aloud in my house growing up.
Author: Else Holmelund Minarik
Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Genre: Early Reader, Fiction
Theme(s): Bear, Mother & Sons, Grandparents, Snow, Friendships, Humor
Opening line/sentence: It is cold. See the snow. See the snow come down.
Brief Book Summary: This book tells of four adventures that Little Bear goes on. As an ‘I Can Read’ book, it is perfect for the early reader. Everyone will fall in love with Little Bear.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature) There are four stories in this beginning reader, which don't really get tied together until the last one. In the first Little Bear wants to go out and play in the snow, but he is cold so Mother Bear makes him some clothes. After wearing a hat, coat and trousers, Little Bear still isn't warm, so his mother suggests that he just play in his fur coat, which seems to work out just fine. In the next tale, Little Bear is afraid that his mother has forgotten his birthday so he sets about making some birthday soup. As his friends arrive to wish him a happy birthday, he invites them to join him for soup. At just the right moment, Mother Bear arrives with a birthday cake. Little Bear decides that he is going to go to the moon, but since he can't fly he just pretends he is one the moon, which it turns out for him, is very similar to Earth. In the final story, Little Bear can't seem to fall asleep and he starts wishing for a series of outlandish things when his mother asks what he wants. Finally, he asks for a story about himself and she obliges by reprising the adventures in the first three chapters. Typical kid behavior is evident and kids younger than those who can read will probably enjoy the stories the most. The pictures by Sendak are probably the major reason for this reissue. A Beginning Reading, Level 1 in the "I Can Read Book" series. 2003 (orig. 1957), HarperCollins, $3.99. Ages 5 to 7.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins (New York N.Y.:), PUBLISHED: 1992 c1957.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: (Book Bird Reviews)
Meet Little Bear, a friend to millions of children. And meet Mother Bear, who is there whenever Little Bear needs her. When it is cold and snowy outside, she finds just the right outfit for Little Bear to play in. When he goes to the moon, she has a hot lunch waiting for him on his return. And, of course, she never forgets his birthday. This classic from Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak was written in 1957 and remains as beloved today as it was then. An ALA Notable Children's Book, this Level One I Can Read is full of warm and lovingly playful stories that are perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Supports the Common Core State Standards.
(PUBLISHER: Caedmon (New York:), PUBLISHED: [p1992?](Caedmon (New York:), PUBLISHED: [p1992?]))
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I like how the second reviewer said that the book was published in 1957. I remember reading this book when I was younger, and my mom remembers reading it when she was little too. It shows how this book has seemingly become a classic early reader. The first reviewer summarizes the four stories of the book and that makes you see how relatable they are to children—playing in the snow & celebrating birthdays.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: There almost seems to be an illustration on every page –and with Maruice Sendak as the illustrator who is complaining? The illustrations provide visual context to the reader. The size and amount of text seems comparable to other early readers and an optimum font is used for easy reading.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Since there are other Little Bear books, this book could be used as a character study and a series exploration. It could be used as a read aloud for younger (PK) students and for small group instruction in the K-2 setting. This book was also a bedtime read aloud in my house growing up.